Like many readers I’m sure, I was glued to coverage of the SailGP event in Christchurch, March 18-19. What a spectacular event and didn’t Lyttelton Whakaraupo turn it on for both the fans and the sailors? The weather wasn’t too shabby either – sunny skies with a solid 15 knots of wind, but enough shifts to keep the sailors on their toes on such a short course. The upshot was some of the closest, most exciting racing so far this season.
It was gratifying to see so many people packing the sold-out grandstand beside the finish line and gathered in the event village, along with all those crowding aboard the spectator fleet, all clearly enjoying the brilliant weather and great atmosphere. Also great to see three Christchurch-built King Watercraft K5000 RIBs (Boating NZ, December 2022) used as tenders.
For the Kiwi fans there was plenty to cheer about. Peter Burling’s New Zealand SailGP team had a strong event with one first and two second places in the fleet races on Saturday, two seconds (behind series leader Australia) on Sunday, and a close-fought second place in Sunday’s final behind Canada.
It was perhaps slightly disappointing New Zealand couldn’t come away with the event win on home waters, but Canada’s brilliant victory, guided by its effervescent Kiwi skipper Phil Robertson, struck a chord with Kiwi fans. It was, in a sense, still a local triumph.
For New Zealand, the points they carry forward to the season finale in San Francisco has them sitting second on the series leader board, 11 points behind Australia, and a few points clear of the French and British teams. They will have to sail very badly in San Fran not to be one of the three boats competing for the title and a million-dollar payout in a few weeks’ time.
The South Island’s vibrant boating scene features prominently in this issue, which includes Matt Vance’s review of the Dan Leech DL950, also conducted at Whakaraupo, and Lawrence Schäffler’s excellent coverage of the Antique & Classics Boat Show at beautiful Lake Rotoiti near St Arnaud. Be sure to check out those videos – the sound Flak Too’s 1920’s Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine makes on start-up is glorious. Next month we’ll feature Lake Brunner as a family boating destination.
By default, given the region’s population and the sheer volume of boating activity in the Hauraki Gulf, Northland and Bay of Plenty, the upper North Island tends to dominate the pages of this magazine. It doesn’t hurt to shift the focus away every once and a while!
Enjoy this April edition of Boating NZ and good luck to New Zealand’s SailGP team in San Francisco!
John Eichelsheim
Editor
